ATTAPPADI TRIBES: CASE STUDY ON

THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROBLEMS

Project submitted to the University of Calicut

In partial fulfillment of the requirement for

the award of Degree of

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN

SOCIOLOGY

Submitted By,

Name: xxxxxxxxxx

Register Number: 1234567

YEAR: xxxx-xxxx

SCHOOL OF DISTANCE EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF CALICUT

MALAPPURAM

2016

DECLARATION

I, …………….. hereby declare that this project and title is the genuine work done

by me and the project titled “Attappadi Tribes: Case study on Socio economic

problems” has not previously formed the basis of any degree, diploma or other

similar title of any other universities earlier.

I further declare that if it is proved that this study is submitted for any other studies

earlier, university will have the authority to reject its submission.

Place: (Signature)

Date: Name of the Student

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Socio-economic background of Attappadi Tribes

1.2 Objectives of the study

1.3 Importance of the study

1.4 Methodology

2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

3. ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4. FINDINGS

5. CONCLUSION

6. BIBLIOGRAPHY

7. APPENDIX

INTRODUCTION

The tribal people were the earliest among the present inhabitants of India.

They are still in primitive stage and are far from the impact of modern civilization.

They live in the forest areas, hilly regions, mountainous regions and deep valleys.

They are known by various names such as jungle people, Girijans, aboriginals,

adivasis etc. The constitution of India has referred to them as the Scheduled Tribes.

A tribe is development of or outside. A tribe is a distend people, dependent on their

land for their livelihood, who are not integrated into the national society. There are

an estimated one hundred and fifty million tribal individuals worldwide,

constituting around forty percent of indigenous individuals. The tribal people in

Kerala are residing in Wayanad, Palakkad, Idukki, Malappuram, Kozhikode etc.

The study conducted in Attappadi, a tribal area situated in Palakkad district in

Kerala.

Socio-economic Background of Attappadi Tribes

Attappadi is an extension mountain valley of 731 Sq. Km in area lying

at Western Ghats ranges. It is located in the mid eastern part of Kerala on the north

east of Palakkad district adjoining Coimbatore and Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu.

Attappadi tribal area constituted by Agali, Pudur and Sholayar tribal villages.

Though there are three Panchayaths its area is 745 Sq. Km. Over 10,000 adivasi

families are live in 187 Ooru (hamlets)scattered all over Attappadi. Each Ooru

contains over average of 50 houses densely constructed rows. The three major tribal

group in Attapadi are Muduga (10%), Irula (84%) and Kurumba (6%). Irula is the

largest group in Attappadi tribal area. Mudugas are the second largest group and

Kurumbas are a small group in Attappadi tribal area. The Mudugas have the highest

literacy. Kurumabas are the most primitive tribal group and they are still residing in

the interior forest area. The name of Muduga was derived from the primitive custom

of carrying children on Muthuk meaning back. The name of Irula is derived from

their physical appearance, pitch black complexion. Tribes have traditional

occupation. The traditional occupation of Irula tribe is shifting cultivation,

occasionally they engaged in hunting and fishing. Kurumbas are traditionally

engaged in food gathering and hunting. But in present day society Muduga and Irula

are working as an agricultural laborer in the land of non-tribal land owners.

Kurumbas are working as laborers in coffee plantations. In early times nuclear

family is the unit of production. The speaking languages of these three tribal groups

are belonging to the south Dravidian family (elements of Malayalam, Tamil and

Kannada). The land ownership of the tribes is collective, in the sense that

descendents of a common ancestor are joint owners of the hamlet and its territory.

Regarding right to land, it is not the absolute freedom of the individual or the family

that matters, but he consents of the council members especially the headman of the

hamlet. Nuclear family is the primary unit of economic production and a new unit

will be set up on the marriage of each young man.

Health and nutrition are the two fundamental dimensions of the social

development process without having intake of nutritious food on continues basic

sound health status is a distant dream. But nutritious food is a necessity and not a

condition for a good health status. Status of health has both positive and negative

impacts on the process of development at the levels of individual, community and

society. If the health status of population, irrespective of their social background, is

good as per the observation of health experts, it has positive socio-economic impact

at all levels. Such population is considered physically fit to participate in the

developmental process. But if the population is sick and suffering from various

diseases and is also deprived of nutritious food, they have to suffer all levels,

process going on the rest of the non-tribal areas of the country. Malnutrition and

mortality have a positive co-relation among themselves. However, it would be a

kneejerk, if other variables affecting the above health indicators are not taken into

consideration. They are poverty or poor economic conditions, illiteracy and low

literacy, unavailable / inadequate / inaccessible health care services resulting in high

mortality, socio-cultural barriers preventing utilization of available health care

service etc.

The position of tribal health is even more alarming, as these group inhabit in

the remote forest and hilly areas far from civilization, they are largely unaffected by

the developmental process going on the rest of the non-tribal areas of the country.

Malnutrition is a divesting problem, particularly among the poor and unprivileged.

Children are more vulnerable to malnutrition due to low dietary intakes, inequitable

distribution of food within the house hold, improper food storage and preparation,

dieting taboos, infectious diseases and care. Prevalence of malnutrition has

remained a problem of considerable magnitude in most developing countries.

Malnutrition cause both emotional, physical suffering and is responsible for than

one-half of all children deaths worldwide. Adults who survive malnutrition as

children are less physically and intellectually productive and suffer from higher

level of chronic illness and disability (smith 2000). Among the Pudur tribes in

Attappadi region in Kerala, the prevalence of poor health status of tribes are

remarkable. Factors that are leading to socio-economic problems are given below.

1. Educational backwardness: it is an important and a common problem suffering

from tribes for centuries. Tribal language, culture, believes etc. is different from

the non-tribal culture, so they cannot cope up with modern education.

Educational backwardness also leading to economic backwardness. Due to non-

pursuance of modern education they cannot compete in good jobs in private and

government sector.

2. Feeling of isolation: peculiar tribal culture and tribal language extract tribes

from mainstream society.

3. Lack of nutritious food: it is the basic problem of tribal people. Due economic

and educational backwardness leading to the lack of nutritious food. This also

leading a diseased society.

4. Low availability of the hospital facilities: it is an important problem commonly

found in tribal inhabiting areas. Commonly tribal lands are situated in interior

forest areas, their life is also closely related with forest. The availability of the

hospital facilities is very low in that area. Besides governmental welfare

programs related health is not reach among the tribal group. Even if the hospitals

are situated in that are the doctors and other officers are not in there.

5. Language problem: is a basic problem suffering from tribes. Tribal culture is

totally different from non-tribal culture. Their belief is closely related with forest

and they are following a traditional occupation. Owing to intrusion of modern

culture tribal culture in the edge of extinct, but they could not extract from their

own culture. So they could not accept modern culture and remain in their own

culture, which leads them to isolation from modern society. Besides, those

leading an identity crises.

Tribal culture is very different from the non-tribal culture. Above explained

factors are the important factors come in tribal culture. Culture is underlying in their

life, so these problems leading to serious socio-economic problems.

Objectives of the Study

1. To analyze the socio-economic problems of Attapadi tribes.

2. To study about the factors those are leading to socio-economic problems.

3. How health issues arise the social problems

Importance of the Study

The socio- economic and health problems of tribes in Pudur panchayath are

numerous. They are the most backward group. Poverty, unemployment, isolation

from mainstream society, malnutrition, lack of health institution facilities etc. are

the problems suffered by them, but the government’s welfare programs is far from

satisfactory. No serious attempts have been made from government or private sector

to reduce the problems.

Methodology

Methodology is the systematic theoretical analysis of the method applied to

the field of study. The study relied upon the primary and secondary data. Primary

data collected through the technique of interview and questionnaire. The researcher

interviewed two eminent personalities in the field of health and education.

Secondary sources data collected from the books, journals, and internet sources.

Tools of Data

Questionnaire contented with open-ended questions.

Area of study

The area of the study constitutes in Pudur Panchayath of Attapadi block in

Palakkad district. The study mainly focused only the tribes in Pudur panchayath.

Population and Sample

Population; Pudur panchayath consist of 500 tribal hamlet.

Sample; Out of 500, 20 sample taken from Pudur panchayath.

Limitations of the study

The tribes are not ready to respond properly to the questions. The field study

was very expensive and wide range and a limited period of time was a major

challenge.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

BASU (1990): Discuss the health status of tribal women in relation to sex ratio,

age at marriage, nutritional status and malnutrition and child health care practices.

Health status of tribal women and child found to be lower than that of Indian

women and children general on most of these aspects.

He also revealed that maternal and child health care is an important aspect

of health seeking behavior, which is largely neglected among the tribes. The

planners how to take into consideration the life style, beliefs, cultural milieu,

social organization and the channels of communication of the tribal people before

introducing developmental activities.

AMARTHYA SEN (1999): In his point of view development can be seen

as a process of expanding the freedoms that people enjoy. What development is

about than it makes sense to concentrate on that rather than on some of the means

are instruments of achieving it. This approach contrasts with other such as

identifying development with the growth of GNP, rise in personal incomes, or

with industrialization, technological advance, or social modernization. These are

all important but are means and not ends

Freedoms depend also on other determinants eg; social and economic

arrangements (eg; education and health facilities), political and civil rights,

freedoms are not only the primary ends of development, they are also among its

principal means. There are five district types of freedom, seen in this instrumental

perspective; 1. Political freedom, 2. Economic facilities, 3. Social opportunities, 4.

Transparency guarantees, 5. Protective security. In his category of social

opportunities he gives importance to health of women and child he asks. There

are millions of women missing. Why? Excess mortality of those of child bearing

age is one reason

ASHOK RAJAN BASU (1985): In his work he describes the co-relation between

development strategies of the nation and heath states of the tribe. According to

him, in primitive societies, the practice of medicine was related with religion,

magic, and astrology. The development strategies of the tribal communities are to

be linked up with the developmental strategy of the nation. One of the goals of

social mobilization would therefore, be the integration of the tribal societies with

the national policy. It is to be noted that modernization of tribal societies does not

depend upon operational efficiency of administration and development apparatus

alone.

Dr. C.S. CHANDRIKA (2014): Portrayed out that inadequate malnutrition of

pregnant mothers, under weight of infants at the time of birth, un-proper

vaccination caused infanticide in Attappadi. In the last year more than 32

children are died. Lack of houses, toilets, drinking water, food and primary

education didn’t get properly to Attappadi regions; it’s the major criticism

against Kerala development authority.

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

It is an important part of the study. This part is constituted by the

presentation and analysis of the collected data.

Table;1 Population of tribes in Pudur panchayath

Name of tribes Sample

Kurumbas

Mudugas

Irular

3

5

12

Total 20

Table 1 show that Irula is a major tribal group in Pudur Panchayath and

Kurumbas are a very small group.

Table 2 Feeling of isolation from the society

Feeling of isolation Frequency Percentage (%)

Being isolated 16 80

Not being isolated 4 20

Total 20 100

Isolation is a psychological as well as a social problem. Tribal group are

living in thickly forested area, so they are being in socially isolated area. Majority

people are suffering isolation from main stream society.

Table 3 the educational status of the tribal people.

Sl No Educational

status

Frequency Percentage (%)

1 LP 20 100

2 UP Nil Nil

3 HS Nil Nil

4 HSS Nil Nil

TOTAL 20 100

Table 3 explains about majority people are complete Lower Primary school

education. Owing to language problem, low economic status, low facilities at home,

discrimination from the part of teachers, teasing by others are the causes of low

education status. They cannot pursue their education.

Table 4 Occupational status of tribal groups

Sl. No Occupation Frequency Percentage (%)

1 Coolie 4 20

2 Agriculture 12 60

3 Unemployment 4 20

Total 20 100

Table 4 Shows that the occupation status of the tribal groups. Large number

of people is engaged in agriculture. Even though the tribes are engaged in

traditional occupation, the traditional occupation of tribes is cultivation but that

occupation not helps them in present day deforested society. So they are working as

an agricultural laborer in land owners’ land.

Table 5 Reason for health issues

Sl. No Reasons for health

issues

No of responses

1 Alcoholism 16

2 Nutrition deficiency 20

3 Excess use of chemical 12

4 Poor economic condition 18

5 Lack of health instrumental

issues

18

Table 5 shows that the majority responses recognize that they suffering from

nutrition problem. Second majorities of responses are suffering from the health

issues due to poor economic condition and lack of health instrumental issues.

Alcoholism a serious and common problem suffered by tribal group. These health

issues extract tribes from the mainstream of development. So health problem is a

serious problem leading to socio-economic problem. Health problems hinder tribes

from access of education, occupation etc.

FINDINGS

Attappadi is a backward tribal block in Kerala State. Irular is the majority

tribal group in Pudur Panchayath of Palakkad district. The socio-economic problem

of tribes in Pudur is numerous. Large number of tribal people are engaged in

agriculture, they are the agricultural laborers in the land of land owners. Their

economic activities and collection of forest product is not sufficient to their lives,

which are leading to nutrition deficiency. Besides that alcoholism, excess use of

chemical etc. are other important health issues suffered by them. Due to the low

educational status and economic status are leading to the feeling of isolation and

health issues. Low educational status, economic status, being of isolation and health

issues are the leading factors of socio-economic problems. For improving their

living condition government effectively conduct the welfare programs and assure

that programs reach to the tribes.

CONCLUSION

Scheduled tribes are considered as the most volunerable community in the

State. The studying communities in Attapadi Ooru are vested as most backward

group. The tribes in Kerala form an important part of the total population and it

represents an element in society which is incorporated with the culture mixture of

our nation. Tribal communities delay behind other communities with respect to

attainment of income, occupation, schooling and other basics for good community

nutrition. Education, isolation from mainstream society, low economic status and

health issues are the contributing factors of socio-economic issues. Socio-economic

problems leading the tribal groups in Attapadi region are vested as most backward

group.

Bibliography

1. Shankar, Rao C N (1990) Sociology Primary Principles S Chand and

Company Publications

2. Singh, K S (1985)Tribal society in India: An Anthropological Perspective,

Manohar New Delhi.

3. Thurston, Edgar (1909) Caste and Tribes of Southern India, Government

Press Madras.

4. Thulasidharan, Santha, Keralathile Adivasikal Jeevithavum Samskaravum,

Mathrubhumi Publication.

5. Alexander T. K. Irulas, the Tribes of India Part 1, New Delhi, 1950.

6. Srinivas MN 1963. Sanskritization and Westernization. In: A Aiyappan, LK Balaratnam (Eds.): Society in India. Madras: Social Science Association.

7. Spencer Herbert 1896. The Principles of Sociology. 3 Vols. New York: Appleton.

8. Turner V 1967. The Forest Symbols. Ithaca: Cornell University Press

9. Mathur PRG 1977. Tribal Situation in Kerala. Trivandrum: Kerala Historical Society.

10. Poyil Manjula 2006. Death, Funeral and the Ancestors: Cult of the Dead and the Malabar Tribes. PhD Thesis (Unpublished), University of Calicut.

Appendix

Questionnaire

1. Personal Detailes

Name

Age

Marital

status

Relation

to the

head of

Family

Education

Occupation

Income

2. What are the traditional occupations of your community?

3. Are you presently engaged in traditional occupation?

4. Can you satisfy your daily needs with your income? Yes/No

5. If no what are the reason for your poor economic condition?

6. Do you have any health problem? Yes/No

What is it?

7. What are the reasons of your poor health condition?

8. Did you notice any infant deaths in your area? Yes/No

If yes the period of infant?

Still birth, 1to 3 Weeks, Above 2 months

9. Do you think there have much infrastructural facilities in your PHC for better

health of pregnant women? Yes/No

10. How society approaches you? Do you feel isolation from the society?

11. Did you aware about government programmes which implemented for the

improvement of health of mother and children?

**************

Prepared by,

RANJINI PT, Assistant Professor of Sociology (UG), School of Distance

Education, University of Calicut

MUHAMMED SHAREEF CK, Assistant Professor of Sociology (PG), School

of Distance Education, University of Calicut

E-mail id : sdebasociology@uoc.ac.in

NB: This is only a Specimen copy. Don’t Copy this

project for your Submission. You are free to contact

the above E-mail for your queries.

As a part of the requirements for BA program every student must do a project.

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1. Introduction

2. Research objectives

3. Important of the study

4. Methodology

5. Limitations of the study

6. Literature review

7. Research analysis

8. Findings

9. Conclusion

10. Bibliography

11. Appendix

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The report should be organized in the following sequence:

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Name of the project

Name of the candidate

Register number.

II. List of Tables, List of figures, Table of contents

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IV. Objectives,

V. methodology

VI. Literature review

VII. Analysis

VIII. Findings

IX. Conclusion

X. Bibliography

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Front Size12, line spacing 1.5).